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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Ames Human Relations Commission - AHRC Minutes 07-25-2019M I N U T E S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION July 25, 2019 Call to Order: This regular meeting of the Ames Human Relations Commission was called to order by Commissioner Joel Hochstein at 5:37 p.m. in Conference Room 235 of City Hall. Commissioners Wayne Clinton and Madesh Samanu were present. Jill Crosser and Liming Pals were not present. Staff member Brian Phillips was also present. Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Madesh, seconded by Wayne, to approve the minutes from the meeting of June 27, 2019. Motion carried unanimously. Source of Income Discrimination in Housing: Joel noted he sent everyone a shortened summary of the Des Moines, Iowa City, and Marion ordinances. He also provided three articles to the Commission. Joel sent a copy of the rental contacts he obtained from Inspections, but did not yet have a script for the phone calls. He wanted to know whether it was something the Commission still wanted to do. Wayne felt the Commission did not have anything to lose by bringing it to the Council at this point, and if the Council wanted further information, the Commission could address that. He felt the information collected was compelling. At Madesh’s inquiry, Joel indicated his belief that the recommendation from the Commission would be that the City Council explore source of income protections. It was moved by Madesh, seconded by Wayne, to authorize Joel to draft a memo outlining the recommendation of the Commission that the Council explore source of income protection in rental housing. Motion carried unanimously. Follow-up from AHRC Retreat: Joel reminded the Commission he had sent out additions to the focus group questions, including icebreaker questions. Wayne reviewed ground rules he had researched for the discussions. Joel noted the first focus group may be the 28th or 29th of August. 2019 Symposium on Building Inclusive Organizations: Joel indicated the Symposium group has asked the Commission if it would like to have a session about what it has learned in its focus groups by then. Does the Commission want to commit to a session? It would be a breakout session. Commission Budget: Brian outlined the expenditures that were built into the budget. Wayne asked whether it might be good to plan for participating in National Night Out. Joel offered to reach out to the Police about participating. Perhaps the first year would be more volunteer- based, and future years might involve more participation in activities. It was moved by Wayne, seconded by Madesh to approve the proposed FY 2019/20 Budget. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Announcements: Madesh asked where he could start with the inquiry of Council Member Gartin related to the reduced graduation rates of African American students at ISU. Joel suggested Madesh contact Kenyatta Shamburger in Multicultural Student Services. Next Meeting: August 22, 2019 @ 5:30 p.m. Adjournment: Madesh moved adjournment at 6:19 p.m.